Goku Turning Super Saiyan
Fiction that incorporates magic and powers tend to use a ‘power catalyst’. This is something that is needed to trigger an ability. I’ll go into the categories on Wednesday, so today is just an overview. Mostly because I keep thinking of new ones to add to the list, so that needs its own day.
I think we’ve seen power catalysts in action a lot over the years. It’s to the point where we don’t think much about them. They’re a means to an end whether it be casting a spell or gaining a superpower. Some can be repeated while others are a one time event. The latter tends to be more impactful on a story, but I still don’t think we strongly consider how such a tool is handled. Are authors really that careful about choosing the power catalyst in their story?
You can’t really talk in generalities here because every author is different. Plotters will be meticulous in their choices of power catalysts. Pantsers might be more flippant with their choices and work around whatever shows up as they write. This is probably because the most common catalysts are instinctive. Take Goku turning Super Saiyan for the fist time up there. An epic event in anime history, but it happened because he got angry . . . like the Incredible Hulk. The idea that a power boost or change comes from rage is fairly rudimentary even though it works so well. Any type of author might choose that out of simplicity or instinct.
You can’t really work without a power catalyst either. There’s usually some kind of energy or cause for things to happen. I think this is a necessity to explain any powers that go far beyond human capabilities. If you don’t do this then it might come off as random and not very thought out. Kind of like when kids are playing a game and the one who made it up keeps changing the rules to make sure they win. That’s what I think of when I imagine any character who has a power without good reason and they keep gaining strength in the same manner. I’ve watched anime and books where this happens with villains who simply return stronger than before with no explanation. It’s to keep the story going, but it ends up reducing the tension because there’s no catalyst for gaining power beyond being away from the audience.
Personally, I don’t think my power catalysts through unless they’re an initial trigger. I never made a solid plan of how Luke Callindor would gain abilities in Legends of Windemere other than what they would be. I went through a lot of different ideas that were based off the game until I stumbled onto the final plan. Clyde in War of Nytefall was different in that I needed a special event in the beginning to explain why he is so powerful and unique. An accident was the best way to go because he wasn’t trying to change into a more powerful being. Just kind of happened and he decided to make the best of it, which happens a lot in fiction.
So, what do you think about power catalysts even if you don’t use them in your stories?
Legends of Windemere 
I think a power catalyst makes a lot of sense. It could be the why for how a character has the powers they possess. Would make for a good yarn too.
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Thanks. Definitely a lot of potential in it.
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I agree.
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For me, catalysts are built into the magic system. I’m not a plotter, and I value the flexibility and fresh ideas of working without an outline. However, magic systems are one area where I do plan and think about the source of magic and how it works. I focus a lot on being unique, so people don’t think “I’ve seen this so many times before” but also I consider the practicality of how the magic will be used during the story. If it’s something you can pop off quickly at need, that’s totally different than a system where you have to gather materials, let them brew, chant for days, etc.
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DnD had an interesting take on magic system catalysts. You had wizards who needed to study, so they gained spells faster while getting less. Sorcerers worked off being gifted. They got more spells at a slower rate. Seemed to be a good system. Not sure if it’s the same these days.
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Great idea for a post. This has been around for a while. Even Popeye had one. Jekyll & Hyde had a similar vibe, although it wasn’t intended to be heroic.
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Thanks. Popeye comes up later in the week. 😁
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Cool.
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I think the main one in my Wolves of Vimar series is The Cat, an expert cat burglar, hence the name.
He was being experimented on by the antagonist, a mage, with a black panther. The idea was to meld the two and come up with either panther with the intelligence of a human, or a human with the silent, sneaking abilities and the strength of a panther.
The protagonist, another mage tried to disrupt the spell and help his friend. He succeeded, he thought.
Later, in a fight, The Cat, in anger, shape shifted into a black panther. It was difficult for his friends to bring him back.
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So, anger causes him to change?
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More like anger caused by danger. Carthinal, the mage, talks him back, and then, later, when they’ve escaped the immediate danger, tries to help him control his shift.
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